Since I graduated from college in 2009, the economy has remained stagnant and the job market has remained weak, with no sign of improvement. Just last week, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that the unemployment rate hit 7.5 percent.

While the mainstream media and our leaders in Washington want you to believe that the economy is getting better, thanks to more spending, higher taxes, and more regulation, six million people have dropped out of the work force since the recession began in 2008. Young Americans, especially, have it bad.

About 45 percent of 18 to 34-year olds are unemployed according to a recent poll by Demos, a public policy firm. I still know of college classmates who have yet to find meaningful jobs or are severely underemployed almost four years after graduation. However, a recent poll on young people's views of limited government, free markets, and economic liberty suggests some may be waking up to the conclusion that government, over-regulation, and more spending will not turn our futures around.

In a survey launched by Young America's Foundation and conducted by the polling company, Kellyanne Conway, Inc., more than 60 percent of college-age students feel that government should not take an active role in their day-to-day-lives, and half of respondents believe that the federal government is mostly hurting economic recovery.

President Ronald Reagan said, "Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States." And, as the poll suggests, young people share this belief: 66 percent of the students polled had a positive opinion of "entrepreneurship," 44 percent found "free markets" positive, and 42 percent believe the federal government is an opponent rather than a partner in the pursuit of the American Dream.

It seems every time we turn on the TV or visit our favorite news site, the media is telling us what issues should matter to us, such as gun control and abortion. However, in YAF's study, neither of those issues ranks in the top five for the respondents, who cited the economy (21 percent), jobs (16 percent), education (16 percent), and the national debt (14 percent). We went to college or received an advanced degree in hopes of bettering our situation and having a productive and fruitful life. Isn't that the goal of every generation?

The poll seems to indicate that our leaders in Washington are keeping us from doing that. Six-in-ten young people are displeased with the way that their public officials represent young people. That shouldn't surprise many, judging by the approval rating for Congress. The respondents felt that our leaders have bungled the recovery and are out to score points on each other, rather than solve the problem.

Many in Congress use scare tactics to call for more government spending, higher taxes, and more regulations to "even the playing field." That doesn't sit well with my generation. Seventy-six percent of respondents feel that government spending has to decrease if we are to have any hope of improving our economic situation, nearly 40 percent want less regulation, and nearly 60 percent want lower taxes.

If history teaches us anything, a lower tax rate, less spending, and less regulation is the recipe for success. When President Reagan signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act in 1981, 20 million jobs were created, inflation plummeted, and net worth of families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 increased by nearly 30 percent. Right now, our government seems content with the unemployment rate hovering around 8% and a drastically reduced work force. That's unsustainable and unacceptable.

As Milton Friedman said, "Governments never learn. Only people learn." It seems like my generation is doing just that.

I thieek, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that the unemployment rate hit 7.5 percent.While the mainstream media and our leaders in Washington want you to believe that the economy is getting better, thanks to more spending, higher taxes, and more regulation, st four years after graduation. However, a recent poll on young people's views of limited government, free markets, and economic liberty suggests some may be waking up to the conclusion that government, over-regulation, and more spending will not turn our futures around.In a survey launched by Young America's Foundation and conducted by the polling company, Kellyanne Conway, Inc., more than 60 percent of college-age students feel that government should not take an active role in their day-to-day-lives, and half of respondents believe that the federal government is mostly hurting economic recovery.President Ronald Reagan said, "Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States." And, as the poll suggests, young people share this belief: 66 percent of the students polled had a positive opinion of "entrepreneurship," 44 percent found "free markets" positive, and 42 percent believe the federal government is an opponent rather than a partner in the pursuit of the American Dream.It seems every time we turn on the TV or visit our favorite news site, the media is telling us what issues should matter to us, such as gun control and abortion. However, in YAF's study, neither of those issues ranks in the top five for the respondents, who cited the economy (21 percent), jobs (16 percent), education (16 percent), and the national debt (14 percent). We went to college or received an advanced degree in hopes of bettering our situation and having a productive and fruitful life. Isn't that the goal of every generation?The poll seems to indicate that our leaders in Washington are keeping us from doing that. Six-in-ten young people are displeased with the way that their public officials represent young people. That shouldn't surprise many, judging by the approval rating for Congress. The respondents felt that our leaders have bungled the recovery and are out to score points on each other, rather than solve the problem.Many in Congress use scare tactics to call for more government spending, higher taxes, and more regulations to "even the playing field." That doesn't sit well with my generation. Seventy-six percent of respondents feel that government spending has to decrease if we are to have any hope of improving our economic situation, nearly 40 percent want less regulation, and nearly 60 percent want lower taxes.If history teaches us anything, a lower tax rate, less spending, and less regulation is the recipe for success. When President Reagan signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act in 1981, 20 million jobs were created, inflation plummeted, and net worth of families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 increased by nearly 30 percent. Right now, our government seems content with the unemployment rate hovering around 8% and a drastically reduced work force. That's unsustainable and unacceptable.As Milton Friedman said, "Governments never learn. Only people learn." It seems like my generation is doing just that.

Yet this is the same.age.group that overwhelming vote democrat, are pro gay marriage, and have no concept of earning anything.

<quoted text>Yet this is the same.age.group that overwhelming vote democrat, are pro gay marriage, and have no concept of earning anything.

Not necessarily. I was reading the article basically because I HAVE kids this age. While the size of the employment pool decreases, they are facing increased competition for jobs. When we've lost 6M in the workforce--some of that due to to loss of babyboomers retiring--but when the number of jobs out there cannot absorb new college grads, there's a problem.

I'm not completely sold that this younger generation has no concept of earning anything. But I'm probably in a bubble. I work with some very young engineers who are highly motivated, have witnessed four kids grapple with college AND post-grad education and finding jobs, and "get" where this argument is going in some respects. This isn't our job market, the one we knew when younger, Spook.

Facta non verbaRemember, this is the same people that thought Romney was going to ban birth control and re-invade Iraq.Note the poll said "their lives"And the Occupier's gift of capping the loan rates easily earned him a ton of votes.

Of course, "their lives." When you're 20 something, you don't have much reference from which to work.

I'm more focused though on the shrinking job pool. If we lost 6M workers. Some were retiring babyboomers, but not all. A lot of people have dropped out of the workforce. Meaning, I think we have a shrinking pool of jobs, given the fact that unemployment numbers reflect only those who are actively receiving unemployment benefits. There's a discrepancy there. Or maybe I'm not looking at it right.

At this stage of the game, survival is their most immediate goal: get a job, hopefully one that's going to pay enough to eat and make the loan payment, etc.

If there is a trend for young Americans to believe that government ought to play a smaller role in day to day lives, not a good thing? I tend to think so. We oughtn't disregard that.

<quoted text>Of course, "their lives." When you're 20 something, you don't have much reference from which to work.I'm more focused though on the shrinking job pool. If we lost 6M workers. Some were retiring babyboomers, but not all. A lot of people have dropped out of the workforce. Meaning, I think we have a shrinking pool of jobs, given the fact that unemployment numbers reflect only those who are actively receiving unemployment benefits. There's a discrepancy there. Or maybe I'm not looking at it right.At this stage of the game, survival is their most immediate goal: get a job, hopefully one that's going to pay enough to eat and make the loan payment, etc.If there is a trend for young Americans to believe that government ought to play a smaller role in day to day lives, not a good thing? I tend to think so. We oughtn't disregard that.

Part of the reason behind job losses, is that some went off the books, that's immigration. By and large the populace is uninformed about the issue, as no one knows what's in the current bill, and people oppose amnesty in polls, but then support it when it isn't called amnesty.

I'm not always against more government, as long as it works well, thus far that rarely happens.

<quoted text>Part of the reason behind job losses, is that some went off the books, that's immigration. By and large the populace is uninformed about the issue, as no one knows what's in the current bill, and people oppose amnesty in polls, but then support it when it isn't called amnesty.I'm not always against more government, as long as it works well, thus far that rarely happens.

A functional government is needed, size is a nebulous and ill-defined thing, admittedly. What college students mean by "smaller government" may be different than what we might think. I think in these terms: not necessarily people, but looking at the costs of doing business and how to decrease those costs and be able to move resources easily where needed.

What do find interesting though is that it is possible the younger generation is more conservative, or at least less liberal, than what is sometimes assumed.

As for the immigration issue, yes. You're on target there, many jobs went off the books. Some were off-shored. Many also now are contract or temp 1099 jobs. I'm seeing that as a huge trend in my world, as if there are sectors of employers too afraid to commit long-term to an employee.

<quoted text>A functional government is needed, size is a nebulous and ill-defined thing, admittedly. What college students mean by "smaller government" may be different than what we might think. I think in these terms: not necessarily people, but looking at the costs of doing business and how to decrease those costs and be able to move resources easily where needed.What do find interesting though is that it is possible the younger generation is more conservative, or at least less liberal, than what is sometimes assumed.As for the immigration issue, yes. You're on target there, many jobs went off the books. Some were off-shored. Many also now are contract or temp 1099 jobs. I'm seeing that as a huge trend in my world, as if there are sectors of employers too afraid to commit long-term to an employee.

Decline in social capital is another major reason, along with a tax code and corporate structure that encourages the better off to not reproduce.

You can see the trends accelerated in Europe, flaring up the most in France, which is IMO almost certain to see major upheval this year, though not revolution, probably early elections.

<quoted text>Of course, "their lives." When you're 20 something, you don't have much reference from which to work.I'm more focused though on the shrinking job pool. If we lost 6M workers. Some were retiring babyboomers, but not all. A lot of people have dropped out of the workforce. Meaning, I think we have a shrinking pool of jobs, given the fact that unemployment numbers reflect only those who are actively receiving unemployment benefits. There's a discrepancy there. Or maybe I'm not looking at it right.At this stage of the game, survival is their most immediate goal: get a job, hopefully one that's going to pay enough to eat and make the loan payment, etc.If there is a trend for young Americans to believe that government ought to play a smaller role in day to day lives, not a good thing? I tend to think so. We oughtn't disregard that.

There is a problem in the job / retirement / unemployment numbers. People off of unemployment insurance / federal extended unemployment benefits are not considered job seeking in current obama figures. Neither are the people who now are doing part tine or multiple part time jobs.

I just don't see the work ethic in younger people. Enginers doctors and the like have always been a different breed. I use an ethnic Italian family concrete construction company. The father who emigrated here and the oldest son would work sunrise to midnight 7 days a.week until the prohect is done. A grandson is more interested in watching the time so he.can go coach girls basketball or softball.

Just look at what is working at retailers like Lowes Home depot Target walmart etc. Even management these days are mostly worthless wastes of skin and.oxygen.

<quoted text>A functional government is needed, size is a nebulous and ill-defined thing, admittedly. What college students mean by "smaller government" may be different than what we might think. I think in these terms: not necessarily people, but looking at the costs of doing business and how to decrease those costs and be able to move resources easily where needed.What do find interesting though is that it is possible the younger generation is more conservative, or at least less liberal, than what is sometimes assumed.As for the immigration issue, yes. You're on target there, many jobs went off the books. Some were off-shored. Many also now are contract or temp 1099 jobs. I'm seeing that as a huge trend in my world, as if there are sectors of employers too afraid to commit long-term to an employee.

I am not sure what the young think of by smaller government, considering young and old seem to goose step so called authority. When I was young sure kids would say they wanted to be a policeman or fireman when they grow up, but they were treated as saints or demigods. Seemz these days no one.stands up to the vermin hiding behind a badge or turnout gear.

Look at all the worthless agencies not just at federal level but State County local and semi regional. Are the youth even aware of all the parasites hiding under the guise of government safety environmental protection development etc?

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Beyond his personal lack of popularity, there is a broader “morosité” that seems to have infected the country. An Ifop poll last week found that 70 per cent of French believed a “social explosion” was possible in the coming months.

<quoted text>Of course, "their lives." When you're 20 something, you don't have much reference from which to work.I'm more focused though on the shrinking job pool. If we lost 6M workers. Some were retiring babyboomers, but not all. A lot of people have dropped out of the workforce. Meaning, I think we have a shrinking pool of jobs, given the fact that unemployment numbers reflect only those who are actively receiving unemployment benefits. There's a discrepancy there. Or maybe I'm not looking at it right.

The BIG thing that unemployment numbers don't show is the number of people who are working beneath their skill-set. And these kids are going to be a large part of that group.

At this stage of the game, survival is their most immediate goal: get a job, hopefully one that's going to pay enough to eat and make the loan payment, etc.If there is a trend for young Americans to believe that government ought to play a smaller role in day to day lives, not a good thing? I tend to think so. We oughtn't disregard that.

<quoted text>A functional government is needed, size is a nebulous and ill-defined thing, admittedly. What college students mean by "smaller government" may be different than what we might think. I think in these terms: not necessarily people, but looking at the costs of doing business and how to decrease those costs and be able to move resources easily where needed.What do find interesting though is that it is possible the younger generation is more conservative, or at least less liberal, than what is sometimes assumed.

I'm not sure what they're going to be building will be definable using "our" terms (conservative, liberal), and honestly, why should it?

<quoted text>A grandson is more interested in watching the time so he.can go coach girls basketball or softball.

Spook, you bring up a good point. You realize that when I was raising a family, balancing my work, college courses, and family simultaneously, I WAS watching the clock constantly because I had a specific schedule, daily? AND family was the highest priority? Kids needed to be fed, shuttled, coached, watched, etc.... My 40 hours were always put into the job because the income was desired and needed.

I can't slam someone who makes family their priority, EVER. A parent being involved in their kids' lives through coaching is a gem, IMHO. How can we slam that when we have others who in Bob's words, "poop out babies" and don't take care of them?

I think George gave me a new obsession: Red Eye Radio.Good blog post here:http://tinyurl.com/c8gc6x9Since I graduated from college in 2009, the economy has remained stagnant and the job market has remained weak, with no sign of improvement. Just last week, the Bureau of Labor and Statistics reported that the unemployment rate hit 7.5 percent.While the mainstream media and our leaders in Washington want you to believe that the economy is getting better, thanks to more spending, higher taxes, and more regulation, six million people have dropped out of the work force since the recession began in 2008. Young Americans, especially, have it bad.About 45 percent of 18 to 34-year olds are unemployed according to a recent poll by Demos, a public policy firm. I still know of college classmates who have yet to find meaningful jobs or are severely underemployed almost four years after graduation. However, a recent poll on young people's views of limited government, free markets, and economic liberty suggests some may be waking up to the conclusion that government, over-regulation, and more spending will not turn our futures around.In a survey launched by Young America's Foundation and conducted by the polling company, Kellyanne Conway, Inc., more than 60 percent of college-age students feel that government should not take an active role in their day-to-day-lives, and half of respondents believe that the federal government is mostly hurting economic recovery.President Ronald Reagan said, "Entrepreneurs and their small enterprises are responsible for almost all the economic growth in the United States." And, as the poll suggests, young people share this belief: 66 percent of the students polled had a positive opinion of "entrepreneurship," 44 percent found "free markets" positive, and 42 percent believe the federal government is an opponent rather than a partner in the pursuit of the American Dream.It seems every time we turn on the TV or visit our favorite news site, the media is telling us what issues should matter to us, such as gun control and abortion. However, in YAF's study, neither of those issues ranks in the top five for the respondents, who cited the economy (21 percent), jobs (16 percent), education (16 percent), and the national debt (14 percent). We went to college or received an advanced degree in hopes of bettering our situation and having a productive and fruitful life. Isn't that the goal of every generation?The poll seems to indicate that our leaders in Washington are keeping us from doing that. Six-in-ten young people are displeased with the way that their public officials represent young people. That shouldn't surprise many, judging by the approval rating for Congress. The respondents felt that our leaders have bungled the recovery and are out to score points on each other, rather than solve the problem.Many in Congress use scare tactics to call for more government spending, higher taxes, and more regulations to "even the playing field." That doesn't sit well with my generation. Seventy-six percent of respondents feel that government spending has to decrease if we are to have any hope of improving our economic situation, nearly 40 percent want less regulation, and nearly 60 percent want lower taxes.If history teaches us anything, a lower tax rate, less spending, and less regulation is the recipe for success. When President Reagan signed the Economic Recovery Tax Act in 1981, 20 million jobs were created, inflation plummeted, and net worth of families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 increased by nearly 30 percent. Right now, our government seems content with the unemployment rate hovering around 8% and a drastically reduced work force. As Milton Friedman said, "Governments never learn. Only people learn." It seems like my generation is doing just that.

You should have put Milton Friedman first, then I would have know the whole story was crazy.

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